Incline Smith Machine Bench Press vs Incline Cable Bench Press

Which one fits your Chest workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions vs 42. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Incline Smith Machine Bench Press and Incline Cable Bench Press and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.

Incline Smith Machine Bench Press vs Incline Cable Bench Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions compared to 42 for Incline Cable Bench Press.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Incline Smith Machine Bench Press and Incline Cable Bench Press differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Incline Smith Machine Bench Press and Incline Cable Bench Press Differ

What differsIncline Smith Machine Bench PressIncline Cable Bench Press
Machine typeSmith-machinecable-driven
Difficulty3 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users15,214 sessions42 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Incline Smith Machine Bench Press or Incline Cable Bench Press fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Incline Smith Machine Bench Press

Incline Smith Machine Bench Press demo video

Incline Smith Machine Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches the upper part of your chest. The barbell should touch higher than in a regular bench press.
  2. 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
  3. 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible without straining.
  2. 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
  3. 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.

For a full Incline Smith Machine Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Smith Machine Bench Press exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Incline Smith Machine Bench Press?Exercise Guide

How to Do Incline Cable Bench Press

Incline Cable Bench Press demo video

Incline Cable Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lower your hands so that they are next to your chest.
  2. 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
  3. 3. Slowly raise your hands to return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. If you cannot lower your hands to chest height, please lower them as much as you can without straining.
  2. 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
  3. 3. Please be careful not to let your buttocks come off the bench.

For a full Incline Cable Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Cable Bench Press exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Incline Cable Bench Press?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Chest, Incline Smith Machine Bench Press or Incline Cable Bench Press?

Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions against 42 for Incline Cable Bench Press. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Incline Smith Machine Bench Press and Incline Cable Bench Press need?

Incline Smith Machine Bench Press needs a machine, and Incline Cable Bench Press needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Incline Smith Machine Bench Press is the easier place to start. Move to Incline Cable Bench Press once your form holds up.

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